BulgariaAir Force

Aircraft Types

Bristol Boxkite
One Bistol Boxkite biplane of the Extended (Military) type ordered late 1911 and delivered from manufacturer in 1912. 50 hp Gnome engine. Used for pilot training only. Destroyed in a ground landing accident shortly after delivery. No serial number carried.

Serial

c/no.

Prev. Identity

Delivered

Fate/Notes

n/a

?

1912

w/o ? date

References:

Bristol Aircraft Since 1910 pp52

Insignia Issue 13, Winter 1999

Bristol-Prier Monoplane
One Bristol-Prier two-seat monoplane delivered to the government in Sofia on 16 September 1912. 50 hp Gnome engine. Used for pilot training due to its low powered engine. Withdrawn from service late 1913. No serial number carried.

Serial

c/no.

Prev. Identity

Delivered

Fate/Notes

n/a

87

16 Sept 1912

References:

Bristol Aircraft Since 1910 pp64

Air Power of the Kingdom of Bulgaria Part I by Dimitar Nedialkov, 2001

Insignia Issue 13, Winter 1999

Bristol P.T.M.
One Bristol P.T.M. 2-seater biplane delivered in April 1926, following an offer by Bristol in October 1924 to supply six. The type was variously known as the Bristol Trainer, Bristol Primary Trainer and P.T.M. (Primary Training Machine) or Type 83A. The aircraft was fitted with a 120 hp Bristol Lucifer engine and known in Bulgaria as the 'Bristol Lucifer'. Used by the Hunting Yato. Date withdrawn from service not known. The registration B-BEPI has also been qouted for this aircraft.

Serial

c/no.

Prev. Identity

Delivered

Fate/Notes

B-BEPK

6936

April 1926

References:

Bristol Aircraft Since 1910 pp168

Air Power of the Kingdom of Bulgaria Part III

Sojusznicy Luftwaffe I

Bristol Tourer
Four Bristol Tourer biplane aircraft ordered from the manufacturer by Bulgarian Department of Posts and Telegraphs in August 1923. (The Type 29A Tourer was a reconditioned Bristol Fighter adapted for civil transport use). The Bulgarian aircraft were fitted with lower-powered 180 hp Wolseley Viper engines. Two aircraft (designated 'Bulgarian Tourer' or Type 88) delivered to Bojourishte, near Sofia in April 1924. The balance of the order was held pending service trials. Three further aircraft of improved specification ordered April 1926, and delivered in May 1926. The second batch was designated 'Improved Bulgarian Tourer' or Type 88A and featured a revised radiator design. The aircraft were considered accident-prone and did not stay in service for long. Date withdrawn from service not known.